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2 February 2021
Here is your Brum Breathes Update For February
Welcome to your latest updates from Brum Breathes.
Find out what the Clean Air Zone will mean for you
Do you live or work in the Clean Air Zone? Do you have questions about how it will affect you? Or perhaps you just want to know more about it? Whatever your questions, we will answer them at our new webinars which are making available to everyone throughout February. Join online for free to hear about how the zone will operate, how it may affect you and put any queries to the team directly.
Learn about the benefits of creating a free travel plan for your business
We've teamed up with the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce to host a free event focussing on creating an effective Travel Plan for your workplace in order to promote greener, healthier travel and reduce air pollution. Hear from about the benefits this can bring to businesses, staff, the community and the environment and learn about the free support being offered by Birmingham City Council through an online travel planning and reward scheme called Modeshift STARS.
Sign up for the February business clinic
If you're a business based in the West Midlands with question about how the Clean Air Zone may impact on you, join our free business clinic on Thursday, 17 February. You can find out how the zone will operate, the exemptions which are available and financial incentives through the Heavy Duty Vehicle Fund. And if you still have questions, you can put them to the team at the end.
The schools may be closed right now but we are still committed to making them as safe as possible for children. Because they are closer to the ground (and exhaust fumes) children inhale three times more air pollution than adults. The council's Car Free School Streets initiative aims to make school drop offs and pick ups safer, by clearing the entrances of vehicles. Find out what staff, children and residents think of the initiative.
Cameras installed ready for launch
Siemens Mobility has completed the installation of all 67 monitoring and enforcement cameras for Birmingham City Council’s new clean air zone. Installed at locations across the city centre, the Sicore II automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras are at the heart of the scheme which is scheduled to go live on 1 June 2021.
National Express West Midlands will run the new rapid transit bus services along the A34 and A45 Sprint route between Walsall, Birmingham and Solihull. The service will launch in May 2022 with a fleet of zero-emission double decker Platinum buses, which will be able to beat traffic jams and offer reliable journey times by using the dedicated bus lanes and priority at junctions along the route.
Cycling UK is offering businesses and organisations free pop-up Dr Bike safety check events. As part of its Big Bike Revival programme funded by the Department for Transport, Cycling UK will deliver the offer using mechanics from local bike shops and our Community Cycle Clubs. The sessions can still take place during lockdown as long as it is safe to do so with strict social distancing, use of PPE and a booking system in place.
Our partners at Sustrans are offering free training sessions on air pollution: what it is, where it comes from, and what its health implications are. Each session is about one hour long, and is usually run over Zoom. Not only will you gain an understanding of air pollution and how to avoid exposure, but you’ll also get ongoing support for your group to help you to improve air quality in your local area.
Sustrans are putting together some resource packs to engage families about air pollution, with activities for children, and information for parents. Please let them know if you think these resources would be of interest to members of your group, and they will let you know when they are developed.
Sustrans have launched two surveys about Transport and Air Quality: one aimed at members of faith groups, and the other at members of voluntary or community organisations. If you attend a faith group, please fill out the faith group survey. If you are involved in a community or voluntary organisation, please fill out the community and voluntary group survey. Once you’ve completed a survey, please share with other members of your community.
For the latest on how COVID-19 is affecting businesses in Birmingham, visit the Birmingham City Council website where we are providing daily updates on the advice, support and information as it is being made available.
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